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Persecution Expert Warns Trump About Prioritizing Christian Refugees in US

SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2017—

David Curry, president and CEO of Open Doors USA and expert in Christian persecution, responded to President Trump’s executive order to prioritize Christian refugees entering the U.S.:

"President Trump rightly recognizes the incredible rise in persecution of Christians. Appointing key religious-freedom positions in the State Department within the first 100 days of the administration, and working toward religious-freedom accountability with key trading partners like India, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam—all on the Open Doors World Watch List of top persecutors—would be a great start. Expediting refugee entry for those intentionally targeted by ISIS, like the Yazidis and Christians and some Muslim groups, seems appropriate. However, cherry-picking one religion over another only exacerbates the already severe worldwide trend of religious persecution. We encourage a need-based approach that treats all faiths equally and works toward the comprehensive strengthening of religious freedom around the world."

Curry is available for media interviews over the weekend and next week.

About Open Doors USA

For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and equips the Western church to advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org.